NGO lodges police report against Dr M over 'seditious remark'

Hafizam Harum (middle) claimed that Dr Mahathir had tried to mislead and incite the people to overthrow a democratically elected government by labelling Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a dictator. (pix by SHARUL HAFIZ ZAM)

Its chairman Hafizam Harum claimed that Dr Mahathir had tried to mislead and incite the people to overthrow a democratically elected government by labelling Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a dictator.

Hafizam said it was unacceptable for Dr Mahathir to make a seditious remark by labelling Najib as a dictator just because the Prison Department did not approve the former premier's request to pay a visit to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Describing Dr Mahathir's statement as a lie and malicious, he urged the police to investigate the former premier for inciting the people's hatred towards the government and Najib.

Hafizam was referring to Dr Mahathir's recent statement on Youtube, in which he commented on the Prison Department's decision to disallow him from visiting Anwar.

“Dr Mahathir clearly claimed that the Prison Department was instructed to stop him from visiting Anwar.

“As a former prime minister, he should be aware of the department's procedures on visiting a prison detainee,” Hafizam told reporters after lodging a report at the Kota Setar police headquarters today.

He added that Dr Mahathir had also accused the Home Ministry and Najib of being oppressive to the people.

“In the recording, Dr Mahathir had also called for the people not to support Najib while asking voters to support Pakatan Harapan.

“He mentioned the word dictator several times, referring to Najib in the recording, which is totally baseless,” he said.

“It is clear that his statement is meant to incite the people to overthrow the current government through his seditious remarks,” he added.

On Wednesday, Dr Mahathir claimed that the Prisons Department had received orders from the Home Ministry to stop him from meeting Anwar, an allegation that was brushed off by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said he was not involved in the department's operations.

Anwar, who is serving a five-year jail sentence for sodomy, is currently at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital following a surgery two weeks ago.